Plea in SC to Axe MP Minister for Comments on Col. Qureshi
Congress leader alleges Shah’s comments on Col Sofiya Qureshi incite separatism and threaten national unity
New Delhi: A petitioner has moved the Supreme Court seeking the removal of Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah over his remarks about Indian Army officer Col. Sofiya Qureshi.
In her plea, Congress leader Jaya Thakur argues that Shah’s statement, claiming that Col. Qureshi is the sister of the terrorist who carried out the Pahalgam attack, encourages separatist sentiments by casting suspicion on Muslims and thereby threatens India’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity. She contends that his remarks violate the oath prescribed under Schedule 3 of the Constitution.
On May 19, the Supreme Court constituted a three member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the FIR lodged against Shah. On May 28, the court stayed proceedings before the Madhya Pradesh High Court and directed the SIT to submit a status report.
Shah faced backlash after a widely circulated video showed him making objectionable comments about Col. Qureshi, who, alongside Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, had risen to prominence during media briefings on Operation Sindoor. The Madhya Pradesh High Court condemned his “scurrilous” language, ordered an FIR for promoting enmity and hatred, and reprimanded him for using “language of the gutters.”
Amid severe criticism, Shah expressed regret and stated that he respects Col. Qureshi “more than my own sister.”
